Budzien in 2013 repeated as the Bakken-Anderson Big Ten Kicker of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten selection after the final year of a record-setting career, one in which Budzien broke Northwestern standards for single-season field goals (23, 2013), career field goal percentage (.873), consecutive field goals made (17), career points scored (280) and most consecutive PATs made (136-of-136). He converted a remarkable 42-of-45 field goal attempts over his final two years with the Wildcats.

This season, the Lou Groza Award semifinalist ranked No. 1 in the country in field goals made during the regular season (23) and was tied for second nationally in accuracy among kickers with at least 20 attempts (92.0 percent), while his 104 points were the most by any Big Ten kicker.

Budzien's marks also challenged Big Ten Conference kicking records, with his 23 field goal makes in 2013 finishing two shy of the single-season record and his 17 consecutive made field goals registering as the third-longest streak in conference history.

Also a high achiever off the gridiron, Budzien was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his career and is a member of the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes 11 FBS players from across the country for their outstanding efforts in community outreach. Budzien will be on hand at the 2014 Sugar Bowl (Thursday, Jan. 2) in New Orleans to be publicly recognized for his Good Works Team selection.

Northwestern has had 39 first-team All-Americans in its football history, most recently Venric Mark for his efforts as a punt returner in 2012.